Breakin' The Ice In One of Three Languages

Ruth receives her membership pin from
Gary after she delivered her Ice Breaker.

Toasters Toastmasters' newest member, Ruth Kimani, broke the ice today by delivering her first speech during a club meeting. A nurse from Africa who now lives in Lubbock, Ruth understands the importance of communication and is working to further improve her skills by attending club meetings in Lubbock, Texas.

After her speech, President and Toastmaster of the Day, Gary Johnson presented Ruth with her membership pin.

Pins and Badges and Ramps, Oh My

Lubbock Toasters had a big meeting today with an Ice Breaker speech, a practice speech that will be delivered to a government agency, a Competent Communication badge awarded, and a full house including two visitors.

Dustin & Gary
(click image for full size)

Dustin McEwen, one of our newest members, kicked off the morning by delivering his Ice Breaker presentation, "Establishing Roots," where he discussed his early life that included a lot of moving. After the speech, Dustin's Toastmaster mentor and our club president, Gary Johnson, gave Dustin his membership pin.

Gary then rehearsed a speech that he will be delivering to a local government agency on behalf of his volunteer work through TexasRamps.org and AMBUCS.

Lisa & Cindy
(click image for full size)

At the end of the meeting, Lisa Thomason was awarded her Competent Communication badge by her Toastmaster mentor, Cindy Ford. Lisa completed her 10th speech in the Competent Communication and the club purchased her first name badge for her.

Welcome to the club, Dustin!

Congratulations, Lisa!

Petroleum Engineer Gets Pinned

Christian Perner receives his membership
pin from club president Gary Johnson.

Texas Tech Petroleum Engineering student Christian Perner joined the Lubbock Toasters Toastmasters club and delivered his Ice Breaker speech today by telling us about his passions, studies, and plans to travel the world with his career.

As is our tradition, Christian received his Toastmasters membership pin after delivering his Ice Breaker.

Welcome to the club, Christian!

Jiyoon An Travels the World

Jiyoon (right) receives her
club membership pin from
Jan d'Orsay.

Toasters Toastmasters club's newest member, Jiyoon An, delivered her Ice Breaker today. Starting in her home country of Korea, Jiyoon traveled the world and has lived in France and two cities in the United States - Philadelphia and Lubbock.

Welcome to Texas, Jiyoon, and welcome to Toasters!

Toasters Is Distinguished

Club President Gary Johnson shows
off Toasters Club's new
Distinguished Club ribbon.

Toasters Club received the Distinguished Club Award from Toastmasters International for the 2013-2014 year. Club President Gary Johnson presented the award to the club for the previous years' accomplishment.

One of only three Toastmasters clubs here in Lubbock, Texas, to receive Distinguished recognition, Toasters has been Distinguished or better for three years in a row.

Cindy, Kim, and Ryan Receive CC Badges

Completing the ten speeches in the Competent Communication manual from Toastmasters International earns you the Competent Communicator award. In Toasters Club, when it's your first time to finish the manual, that means also get a Competent Communicator name badge.

Cindy Ford completed her manual on February 4, 2014. Ryan Van Dusen completed his on March 3, 2014. And Kim Davis completed hers on May 22, 2014.

Congratulations Cindy, Kim, and Ryan!

Cindy Ford receives her Competent
Communication name badge from club
president Gary Johnson.

Ryan Van Dusen (right) receives his
Competent Communication name badge from
club president Gary Johnson.

Kim Davis receives her Competent
Communication name badge from club
president Gary Johnson.

Red Raider Matt Vinyard Joins Toastmasters

Toastmaster of the Day Lisa Thomason
presents Matt with his pin for completing
his Ice Breaker.

Texas Tech University student Matt Vinyard joined Toasters Toastmasters Club and gave his Ice Breaker presentation today.

Welcome to the club, Matt!

Sarah Shares

Club Sgt. At Arms Jan d'Orsay
presents Sarah Poole with her
membership pin.

Sarah Poole, the newest member of Toasters Toastmasters Club in Lubbock, Texas, shared her Ice Breaker speech with the club today and shared who she is, why she's here, and what she does.

We're excited to have Sarah as a member of the club as she joins the rest of us in developing our communication and leadership skills.

Welcome to the club, Sarah!

From Alaska to Texas

Troy receives his pin from Keith and Linda

After living in Alaska, Oklahoma, and Friona, Texas, Troy Talley (now hailing from nearby Shallowater) recently joined Toasters Toastmasters club here in Lubbock and delivered his Ice Breaker project today. Today's Toastmaster, Linda Jones (right,) and Troy's mentor Keith Waters (middle,) congratulated Troy on his accomplishment and gave him his membership pin.

Welcome to the club, Troy!

Newest Member Linda Gives Her Ice Breaker

Jan d'Orsay presents new member
Linda Jones with a membership pin.

Toasters' newest member, Linda Jones, gave her Ice Breaker speech to the club today and received her membership pin from Sgt. At Arms Jan d'Orsay.

Welcome to the club, Linda!